#Army vet allegedly opens fire on woman’s car at least 9 times in road rage incident

An Army veteran allegedly fired a gun at least nine times at another car in a Dicks Sporting Goods parking lot during a road rage incident in Georgia Thursday, according to a report.

Joe Harvey, 52, allegedly emptied his 9mm pistol firing at a Chevy Trailblazer that Velisha Hearlson, 39, and her 15-year-old daughter were driving in in Columbus, Ga, the Ledger-Enquirer reporter.

The first five rounds hit Harvey’s own Chevy Silverado pickup truck while the next four bullets landed on the hood of Hearlson’s car, officials said, according to the outlet.

The two cars had been driving in the same direction when Hearlson drove in front of Harvey, Officer Michael Clements testified in court Friday. Angered by being cut off, Harvey then allegedly followed Hearlson into the parking lot where things heated up with the pair honking and screaming insults at each other, the site reported.

As Hearlson revved her engine, Harvey allegedly began loading his firearm — which could hold up to ten rounds. After firing the weapon he then allegedly pulled over, set his gun down and called 911 and later admitted to cops that he shot at Hearlson’s car, the report said.

Harvey, 32, who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was charged with aggravated assault, using a gun to commit a crime, reckless conduct and reckless driving, the outlet reported.

Harvey was involved in a prior road rage incident in which he allegedly slammed his breaks because he believed the car behind him was tailgating. The car was forced off the road to avoid crashing, though Harvey wasn’t charged in that case, the officer testified at the hearing, according to the outlet.

Harvey’s lawyer,  Ralston Jarrett, asked for bail to be set noting that his client’s case would likely get transferred to Veterans Court which specializes in cases of mental health issues related to serving.  Jarrett added that Harvey, who left the military in 2018, had severe PTSD and he hadn’t been receiving regular treatment since the coronavirus pandemic hit, the outlet said.

Columbus Recorder’s court Judge Julius Hunter held Harvey without bail noting, “The concern of the court is, going forward, what if somebody else ticks your client off?” the outlet reported.

After outside court Hearlson said, “I think he doesn’t need to be on the road, and he definitely don’t need to own a gun,” according to the report.

“My child might have PTSD now from what he done to her,” she added.